London 2012 could provide a passport to foreign deals for entrepreneurs, as a century-old salmon smokery found out

Lance Forman had just spent more than £1m renovating his salmon smokery in east London when he was told to make way for the Olympic Park.

It took four years to relocate H Forman & Son, the century-old family firm — four years when takings suffered because of the uncertainty and upheaval.

“There was lots said about the jobs the Olympics would create,” said Forman. “Nobody knew that 250 businesses employing 12,000 people were booted out to make way for the games. About 100 are still fighting for compensation.”

Forman was more fortunate. With the relocation grant he received, he built not just a smokery but a corporate entertainment venue, a restaurant and an art gallery.

Forman’s Fish Island bills itself as the closest venue to the stadium. It would take an Olympic sprinter only about 10 seconds to run between the two sites.